To go gluten free or not? Why do I have to even ask this question!

I always thought I would never have to ponder the gluten problem...until faced with an inevitable reality. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia over 20 years ago. I had it under good control with daily exercise, keeping my weight down and taking a good quality multivitamin. However after having kids I have had a hard time keeping up with this and I have seen it get worse and worse the last two years. I recently went to see a specialist to discuss my fibromyalgia (as well as unrelenting peroneal tendonitis and some hormone issues I was experiencing- but that is another story). My doctor brought up gluten and I dismissed it immediately.

Well, now I am wondering if she had something there. A little background... over the last year I have been avoiding processed sugars (like candy), breads, pastas and rice in hopes to reverse or at least stop the weight problem. I noticed it also helped my fibromyalgia. I had racked it up to the sugar, thinking that it was most likely a candida problem. However I had a really hard time giving up my chocolate and continued to eat that without noticing any changes. Then on Easter we went to a relatives to eat and that night I could not sleep AT ALL. I was in so much pain. I knew it was something I ate and thought- it must be the sugar. I did not take into account the breads, pastas or other gluten foods offered. It did not even cross my mind. Fast forward to Mothers Day... we went out for dinner so I did not have to cook. I never order pasta but did not see anything else that interested me so I ordered it. That night I was in so much PAIN! laying in bed at 4am unable to sleep I tried to figure out what I ate that had sugar in it....then my doctors words came back into my head and it hit me.... "have you thought about gluten?"

UGH! I did not want to think about gluten. I want to be able to eat fun foods whenever I want. I don't eat them that often! Feeling defeated I started to research and talk to some friends. I found that gluten sensitivity can be a factor in fibromyalgia. I liked this article.

Ultimately I dragged my feet not wanting to do it, then I got hit hard after a weekend of pizza, cupcake and other gluten filled foods. I found myself barely able to function. I was so tired and in so much pain I felt like I did the day after I ran a marathon or when I had shingles.  I had no other explanation for the misery- except what I ate.

Finally I have decided to give it a go and see if I can rid myself completely of gluten and possibly my fibromyalgia.

My first step has been to examine what I have in my fridge and pantry and learn how to read labels. I was happy to find out most things I eat regularly were ok. (Yeah!) However there were a few I would need to find replacements for (Boo!).

So I decided to start and share this crazy thing with anyone interested. Guess I will be going to the co-op to look for some new ingredients for recipes I find next. Wonder how this will go.... anyone want to join me?

Blessings!!

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